AP Psych: Moral Development

Kohlberg

Inspired by Piaget, looked into “Moral Dilemmas” to investigate decisions

Level 1: Preconventional

• decisions based on consequences

• both positive and negative

Stage 1: Obedience & Punishment

• Behavior judged: “Will I be punished?”

• Bad-Punishment Good-No Punishment

Stage 2: Individual Interest/Rewards

Behavior judged “good” when serves personal needs or interests

Level 2: Conventional

Decisions made in an attempt to meet societal moral expectations

Stage 3: Standards of Peers/ Social Approval

• Behavior determined by what pleases others

• Conform to rules to impress others; “will my family or friends get mad at me?”

Stage 4: Laws/Order of Society

• Obeying laws and rules b/c they are needed

• It’s your duty! Nobody is above it!

Level 3: Postconventional

Individuals decide for themselves what is right or wrong

Stage 5: Social Contract

Laws are social contracts, necessary for society, but can be modified if they do not serve the general welfare

Stage 6: Universal Principles

• Laws are valid only if they are just; otherwise, there is a moral obligation to disobey unjust laws

• E.G. human rights, justice, and equality